New online service to deliver fresh produce, meat in Hampton Roads

The idea of buying local produce on the Internet seems a bit strange. But online ordering of fresh products is a growing industry, says Cade Holliday, operations manager for Backyard Produce.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based company recently announced that it would begin delivery of its produce, meat, bread and other local food products to the Hampton Roads region.

“We work with local farmers and fill the orders as they come in,” Holliday says. “We will deliver it right to your home.”

The company offers a unique shopping process. Customers must first sign up for a yearly membership at byproduce.com, which costs $15. Shoppers can then choose one of four weekly options, ranging from $25 to $55 a week, based on the size of your family and the number of items you would like to receive each week.

The ordering process opens to members on Thursday evenings and is available through Saturday. Customers use the points they have purchased to customize their weekly basket. Shoppers can choose to receive the “Variety Basket of the Week,” which contains surprise food items, or they can customize their purchase, even choosing the particular farm to patronize.

“We just entered the Hampton Roads area, so we don’t have any farmers there, yet,” Holliday says. “But we welcome our shoppers to recommend the farmers they like. Any produce that is purchased from an out-of-state farm will be certified organic. If you buy from a local farm, you can choose from conventional and organic products.”

Right now, Holliday says Backyard Produce only serves North Carolina and some parts of Virginia, including Richmond and Hampton Roads. The company is considering opening a permanent operating facility in the Virginia Beach area to manage Hampton Roads customers.

Once orders are placed online, shoppers can expect to receive their purchase by the following Wednesday or Thursday.

“We only open up ordering for a limited window so that we can get to the farmers and get the freshest products possible,” he says. “We have refrigerated trucks that keep everything fresh.”

Packages are insulated with ice packs, and shoppers do not have to be home to receive their items. Subscriptions are purchased on an ongoing basis, but deliveries can be placed on hold for vacations or canceled at any time.For more information about the company, visit byproduce.com.